Financial Specialist

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in in the Smithsonian Institution, Office of Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, Under Secretary for Museum and Culture, Archives of American Art (AAA).

Duties

• Financial Specialist is responsible for planning and executing financial management studies that analyze administrative processes such as budgeting, finance, procurement, and property management. In this position, you will: Advise management officials and department heads on financial operations, budget execution, travel payments, and financial compliance requirements; research and resolve complex financial, travel issues, and provide recommendations consistent with applicable policies, procedures, and internal controls. Manage budgeting, accounting, and payment operations by monitoring obligations, expenditures, commitments, and available balances; processing and overseeing travel reimbursements, vendor invoices, and other financial transactions; performing reconciliations; analyzing spending trends and financial data; identifying discrepancies; and recommending corrective actions. Assist with budgeting, accounting, and payment operations by monitoring obligations, expenditures, commitments, and available balances; reviewing and processing travel reimbursements, vendor invoices, and other financial transactions; performing reconciliations; analyzing spending trends and financial data; identifying discrepancies; and recommending corrective actions to support effective financial management and budget execution. Coordinate procurement and acquisition-related financial activities in collaboration with Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), program officials, and other stakeholders; compile procurement packages, obtain required vendor quotes and supporting documentation, verify the availability of funds, and ensure financial and administrative requirements are satisfied before obligations are established. Serve as the Accountable Property Officer (APO) and oversee the accountability and control of assigned personal property, including inventories, transfers, disposals, reconciliations, and resolution of discrepancies; assist with the management and coordination of facilities operations for the Washington, DC and New York City offices, including facility service requests, repairs and maintenance, space requirements, safety and security needs, building access, and other operational requirements; and coordinate with facilities personnel, vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to facilitate and track facility-related activities and requests. Develop, prepare, and assist with financial reports, budget projections, reconciliations, statistical and trend analyses, and executive summaries to support management decision-making and financial performance monitoring; analyze financial data, identify trends and discrepancies, and recommend corrective actions; and assist with audit readiness, internal control reviews, audit findings and recommendations, corrective action plans, and process improvements to strengthen financial accountability, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Assisting in the planning and execution of financial management studies analyzing administrative processes such as budgeting, finance, procurement, and property management. Reviewing and reconciling internal reports from the financial management system to ensure accuracy and consistency. Collaborating with other organizations to resolve accountability issues and provide financial management guidance. Providing human resources management services, including personnel actions and time and attendance. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

How to apply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.